Electrically conductive protective garment ensemble to protect against electric stun device misuse

ABSTRACT

An electrically conductive protective garment ensemble worn as an electric stun device misuse countermeasure comprising a variety of clothing articles made from metal coated fabrics with each individual clothing article selectively fastened to another in a manner as to ensure electrical continuity throughout the garment ensemble and to an electrical ground. An electric stun device will be effectively short circuited to itself and/or to an electrical ground when the stun voltage is applied to the garment ensemble and be rendered inoperable. The electrically conductive protective garment ensemble is lightweight, does not decrease mobility, readily concealable, can be covered with other fabrics, used as a clothing liner and is easily manufactured

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Provisional application No. 61/465,553, entitled “ELECTRICALLYCONDUCTIVE APRON AND ACCESSORY TO PROTECT AGAINST ELECTRIC STUN DEVICEMISUSE” filed on Mar. 21, 2011 by John L. Kotos.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to protective garments and, moreparticularly, to an electrically conductive protective garment ensemblehaving multiple articles that protects the user by disrupting theeffectiveness and functionality of electric stun devices used incriminal and terrorist activities which can be worn separately or incombinations as the user deems necessary.

Electric stun devices have evolved with several methods for the deliveryof a high voltage discharge to an intended target. Some of these methodsinclude direct contact probes on the enclosure of the hand-held powersupply for a direct contact method. Another method employs an auxiliarysource propelled projectile with all elements of the power supplycontained within the projectile. Yet another method utilizeselectrically conductive liquids forcibly expelled from the hand-heldpower supply to deliver an immobilizing electric charge to a target. Themost current and commercially available delivery system is that of dualcompressed air propelled projectiles as the high voltage electrodes withattached wires to the hand-held power supply. The leading end of eachelectrode-projectile is fitted with a barbed wire to penetrate thesurface of, and secure itself to a target. This two tetheredelectrode-projectile method is the system incorporated in the TAZER®device. With the announcement that TAZER® devices are now available tothe general public, the need for suitable countermeasures in the form ofprotective garments and accessories to be made available stems from thesame reasons why TAZER® devices and other electric stun devices wereoriginally developed. These reasons generally amount to thecircumvention of criminal activity and to subdue the criminal. Thefollowing U.S. patents disclose electric stun devices and the method ofelectric charge delivery of each are cited. U.S. Pat. No. 3,523,538entitled “ARREST DEVICE” issued on Aug. 11, 1970 to Kunio Shimizudiscloses a delivery system that incorporates a single compressed airpropelled projectile with two embedded electrodes and attached wires tothe hand-held power supply. U.S. Pat. No. 3,803,463 entitled “WEAPON FORIMMOBILZATION AND CAPTURE” issued on Apr. 9, 1974 to John H. Cover andU.S. Pat. No. 4,253,538 entitled “POWER SUPPLY FOR WEAPON FORIMMOBILIZATION AND CAPTURE” issued on Feb. 24, 1981 to John H. Covereach disclose delivery systems each using one or twoelectrode-projectiles or a net tethered with a sufficient numberseparate wires to the hand-held power supply. U.S. Pat. No. 4,688,140entitled “ELECTRONIC DEFENSIVE WEAPON” issued on Aug. 18, 1987 to JohnHammes discloses a delivery system that employs the direct contactmethod previously described. U.S. Pat. No. 5,103,366 entitled“ELECTRICAL STUN GUNS AND ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE LIQUIDS” issued Apr.7, 1992 to Gregory Battochi discloses a delivery system that dispensescharged electrically conductive liquids from the hand-held power supply.U.S. Pat. No. 5,473,501 entitled “LONG RANGE ELECTRICAL STUN GUN” issuedon Dec. 5, 1995 to James P. Claypool discloses a delivery system whichuses a wire-less projectile with self-contained electronics to convert areceived laser beam into a stun voltage. U.S. Pat. No. 5,654,867entitled “IMMOBILIZATION WEAPON” issued on Aug. 5, 1997 to John H.Murray discloses a dual delivery system with the choice of the directcontact method or the two tethered electrode-projectile method. U.S.Pat. No. 5,831,199 entitled “WEAPON FOR IMMOBILZATION AND CAPTURE”issued on Nov. 3, 1998 to James McNulty Jr. et al discloses a deliverysystem that employs a modified two tethered electrode-projectile method.U.S. Pat. No. 5,962,806 entitled “NON-LETHAL PROJECTILE FOR DELIVERINGAN ELECTRIC SHOCK TO A LIVING TARGET” issued Oct. 5, 1999 to Peter G.Coakley et al discloses a delivery system that employs an auxiliarysource propelled projectile with all elements of the power supplycontained within the projectile. U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,073 entitled“METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPLEMENTING A TWO PROJECTILE ELECTRICALDISCHARGE WEAPON” issued Jun. 10, 2003 to James McNulty Jr. et aldiscloses the use of a modified two electrode-projectile deliverysystem. U.S. Pat. No. 6,636,412 B2 entitled “HAND-HELD STUN GUN FORINCAPACITATING A HUMAN TARGET” issued on Oct. 21, 2003 to Patrick W.Smith discloses a delivery system that employs the two tetheredelectrode-projectile method. In addition to the reasons for the need ofsuch devices stated in the aforementioned patents, the increasingactivity of international terrorists and the increased accessibility tostun devices present a potentially serious problem to law enforcementagencies as well as to the general public. It is also noted that thealleged misuse of such devices by law enforcement officers and securityguards have been reported by the news media on numerous occasions.

All of the electric stun devices disclosed in the aforementioned patentsincorporate some form of electric and/or electronic circuitry which, ifshort-circuited, will disable the device by reducing the high voltagecharge to a low or zero voltage. If these electric stun devices areoperated with a short-circuit condition for a prolonged period of time,it is most likely that the electrical and/or electronic circuitry wouldbe damaged and render the device useless until it is completelydisassembled and repaired. Various puncture resistant garments, whichare electrically conductive, are generally rigid shields worn externalof clothing and are constructed of bulky, inflexible metals such astitanium or other extremely hard metal alloys. A more detailed analysisof these metallic vests and garments can be found in U.S. Pat. No.6,131,193 entitled “COMBINED PUNCTURE RESISTANT AND BALLISTIC RESISTANTPROTECTIVE GARMENT” issued Oct. 17, 2000 to Thomas E. Bachner Jr. Thedisadvantages of the garments described in the “Background of theInvention” of U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,193 are due to the bulk and rigidityof such externally worn metallic vests. The primary disadvantages arethat they are uncomfortable to wear, decrease mobility, cause fatigueand are not readily concealable.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide an electricallyconductive protective garment ensemble which protects the user againstthe misuse of the multitude of available electric stun devices by shortcircuiting the high voltage probes and/or the electrode-projectiles ofthe electric stun device power supply across each other, causing theeffects of the electric stun device to be negligible. It is anotherobject of the present invention to provide an electrically conductiveprotective garment ensemble which protects the user against theaforementioned misuse by providing an alternate circuit path fordirecting the stun current to an appropriate electrical ground, thuscausing the effects of the electric stun device to be negligible. It isyet another object of the present invention to provide an electricallyconductive protective garment ensemble in a variety of articles thatinclude jeans, jerseys, long-sleeve shirts, pants, short-sleeve shirts,sleeveless shirts, sweaters, vests and trousers. It is still yet anotherobject of the present invention that articles of the electricallyconductive protective garment ensemble are flexible as not to decreasethe mobility of the wearer. It is still a further object of the presentinvention that articles of the electrically conductive protectivegarment ensemble are readily concealable while worn. It is yet stillanother object of the present invention that articles of theelectrically conductive protective garment ensemble are inconspicuousand unobvious in appearance, therefore concealment of articles of theelectrically conductive protective garment ensemble is not necessary,but an option. Other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention in its details of fabrication and arrangement of materialswill be seen from the following detailed description of severalembodiments of the present invention when considered with the drawingsand from the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a group of illustrations representative of articles comprisingan electrically conductive protective garment ensemble of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a view of a first embodiment of the present invention as acombination of selected articles from the electrically conductiveprotective garment ensemble;

FIG. 3 is a view of a second embodiment of the present invention asanother combination of selected articles from the electricallyconductive protective garment ensemble;

FIG. 4 is a view of a third embodiment of the present invention asanother combination of selected articles from the electricallyconductive protective garment ensemble.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The electrically conductive protective garment ensemble of the presentinvention has the primary function of providing an effective protectionagainst the debilitating effects of electric stun devices. The presentinvention accomplishes this in either one of two ways. The first way isby providing an electrical short circuit current path between the twoprobes of an electric stun device using the direct contact method whenin contact with the present invention or between the twoelectrode-projectiles of an electric stun device using the two tetheredelectrode-projectile method when in contact with the present invention.The short circuit current path will redirect the electric stun currentaway from the present invention user's body, effectively nullifying thedebilitating effects of the electric stun device. If the electric stundevice is operated with both probes or both electrode-projectiles incontact with the present invention for a significant period of time, theelectric stun device may be damaged and become inoperable. The secondway is by providing an electrical short circuit current path between oneelectrode-projectile of a two tethered electrode-projectile electricstun device and to a floor that is a good electrical ground. The secondway is necessary only if any portion of the present invention user'sbody is in contact with an electrical ground and the otherelectrode-projectile is not in contact with the present invention or anyother unprotected part of the present invention user's body. The surfaceof the Earth, or a metal surface grounded to the Earth are suitablefloors. Floors made of asphalt, concrete, tiling, wood or any otherinsulating material cannot be electrically grounded. When only oneelectrode-projectile is in contact with a person's body, a floor onwhich the person is standing is not a good electrical ground and no partof the person's body is in contact with an electrical ground, theelectric stun device will have a negligible effect on a person whetherthe person is wearing or not wearing the present invention. If one probeof the direct contact method makes contact with the present inventionand the other probe makes contact with an unprotected part of thepresent invention user's body, the protective properties of the presentinvention will be neutralized. If one electrode-projectile of the twotethered electrode-projectile method makes contact with the presentinvention and the other electrode-projectile makes contact with anunprotected part of the present invention user's body, the protectiveproperties of the present invention will be neutralized.

Referring now to the drawings in general, the illustrations are for thepurpose of describing the present invention and are not intended tolimit the invention thereto. All drawings are of an approximateproportion and approximate scale.

Referring to FIG. 1, in accordance with the present invention, articlesof the electrically conductive protective garment ensemble areillustrated. The articles illustrated are a upper torso garment (1), alower torso garment (2), and a short ground strap (3) and a long groundstrap (4). Herein, all references to the upper torso garment (1) are tobe broadly construed to refer to a coat, jacket, jersey, long sleeveshirt, poncho, pullover, short sleeve shirt, sleeveless shirt, sweater,vest, etc. Herein, all references to the lower torso garment (2) are tobe broadly construed to refer to jeans, pants, trousers etc., thatcovers the entire length of the legs. Each individual article of thepresent invention comprises at least one layer of a metal coated fabric.Metal coated fabrics are readily available from companies such as SwiftTextile Metalizing LLC of Bloomfield, Conn. The base fabrics offered bysuch companies include continuous loop, knit, nonwoven point bonded, ripstop, and the like which are well known to those skilled in the art. Themetal coatings that are commonly available are nickel and/or silverhowever, other metal coatings that include copper and/or gold areavailable. The electrical resistance of these metal coated fabrics rangefrom 0.1 ohm per square inch of metal coated fabric to 2.0 ohm persquare inch of metal coated fabric for the samples reviewed. The ohm persquare inch of metal coated fabric standard of measurement is derivedfrom measuring the electrical resistance across two opposite sides of aone inch square piece of metal coated fabric. Use of an ohmmeter formeasuring electrical resistance is well known to those skilled in theart. A nonwoven point bonded fabric coated with nickel/silver with anelectrical resistance of 0.1 ohm per square inch of metal coated fabricwas selected for the first prototype of the present invention. Whenarticles of the present invention are comprised of at least two layersof metal coated fabric, the layers are joined together at the edges ofeach article in a manner such that adjacent layers of the metal coatedfabric are free to move relative to each other. Each article of theelectrically conductive protective garment ensemble can be sewn oradhesively bonded into desired patterns or the like. Such techniques arewell known to those skilled in the art. Electrical continuity throughouteach article must be established and can be confirmed using an ohmmeter.Articles of the present invention are selectively attached to or removedfrom an appropriate article of the present invention by any well knownfasteners that include buttons, hook and eye type, hook and loop type,pins, snaps, zippers and the like. The attachment is such that there isa good electrical connection between all fastened articles. In moredetail, still referring to the invention of FIG. 1, a metal snapfastener half (5A) is shown at a plurality of locations on the lowertorso garment (2) and at a single location on the long ground strap (4).A metal snap fastener half (5B) is shown at a plurality of locations onthe upper torso garment (1). Each metal snap fastener half (5A) mateswith a corresponding metal fastener half (5B) and serve as a means ofattaching the upper torso garment (1) and the lower torso garment (2). Agood electrical connection between the upper torso garment (1) and thelower torso garment (2) is also established. A metal snap fastener (5A)is shown at a single location on the long ground strap (4) as a means ofattachment to one of the metal snap fastener half (5B) locations on theupper torso garment (1). A good electrical connection is alsoestablished between the upper torso garment (1) and the long groundstrap (4). A metal snap fastener half (6A) is shown at a plurality oflocations on the lower torso garment (2). A metal snap fastener (6B) isshown at a single location on the short ground strap (3). Each metalsnap fastener half (6A) mates with the metal snap fastener half (6B) asa means of attaching the short ground strap (3) to the lower torsogarment (2). A good electrical connection is established between thelower torso garment (2) and the short ground strap (3). The metal snapfastener half (5A), metal snap fastener half (5B), metal snap fastenerhalf (6A) and metal snap fastener half (6B) are hammered or presseddirectly onto the metal coated fabric assuring a good electricalconnection between the articles of the present invention. The number oflocations of the fasteners is not limited to the number of locationsdepicted in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. A tie string pair (7A)and a tie string pair (7B) are illustrated at a plurality of locationson the long ground strap (4). The tie string pair (7A) and the tiestring pair (7B) are for securing the long ground strap (4) to the user.In other embodiments of the present invention, tie string pair (7A) andtie string pair (7B) can be replaced by other methods of securing thelong ground strap (4) to the user's leg including adjustable straps andVelcro strips.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a first embodiment of the present invention isshown as an ensemble of the upper torso garment (1) and the lower torsogarment (2). This embodiment illustrates that the upper torso garment(1) is fastened to the lower torso garment (2) with metal snap fastenerhalf (5A) and metal snap fastener half (5B). This embodiment illustratesthat each leg of the lower torso garment (2) is of sufficient length tobe in contact with a floor (8). If the legs of the lower torso garment(2) are in contact with a floor (8) made of asphalt, concrete, tiling,wood or any other insulating material, the good electrical ground wouldnot be established. In the case of the floor (8) being a metal surfacethat has been grounded to a good electrical ground, a path for electriccurrent would be established. This embodiment of the present invention,when worn, has complete electrical continuity with a path for electricstun current between the delivery system electrodes and a path forelectric stun current from a single delivery system electrode to thefloor (8) through the legs of the lower torso garment (2). In this, thefirst embodiment of the present invention, the abdomen, ankles, back,calves, chest, hips, knees, legs, shoulders and thighs are protectedfrom the direct contact method and the two tethered electrode-projectilemethod. The arms, elbows, feet, hands, head, neck and wrists are notprotected. If the upper torso garment (1) is a long sleeve shirt or thelike, the arms, elbows and wrists are protected.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a second embodiment of the present invention isshown as an ensemble of the upper torso garment (1), the lower torsogarment (2) and the short ground strap (3). This embodiment illustratesthat the upper torso garment (1) is fastened to the lower torso garment(2) with metal snap fastener half (5A) and metal snap fastener half(5B). This embodiment illustrates the short ground strap (3) with themetal snap fastener half (6B) fastened to a snap fastener half (6A) atthe bottom of one leg of the lower torso garment (2). The short groundstrap (3) is of sufficient length to be in full contact with the floor(8). If the ground strap (3) is in contact with a floor (8) that is asurface made of asphalt, concrete, tiling, wood or any other insulatingmaterial, a good electrical ground will not be established. In the caseof the floor (8) being a metal flooring surface that has been groundedto the good electrical ground, a path for electric current would beestablished. The legs of the lower torso garment (2) can made longenough to make a good electrical contact with the floor (8). Thisembodiment of the present invention, when worn, has complete electricalcontinuity with a path for electric stun current between the deliverysystem electrodes and a path for electric current from a single deliverysystem electrode to the floor (8) through the short ground strap (3). Inthis, the second embodiment of the present invention, the abdomen,ankles, back, calves, chest, hips, knees, legs, shoulders and thighs areprotected from the direct contact method and the two tetheredelectrode-projectile method. The arms, elbows, feet, hands, head, neckand wrists are not protected. If the upper torso garment (1) is a longsleeve shirt or the like, the arms, elbows and wrists are protected.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a third embodiment of the present invention isshown as an ensemble of the upper torso garment (1) and the long groundstrap (4). This embodiment illustrates the long ground strap (4) withthe metal snap fastener half (5A) fastened to a snap fastener half (5B)at the bottom of the upper torso garment (1). The long ground strap (4)is of sufficient length to be in contact with the floor (8). Thisembodiment of the present invention, when worn, has complete electricalcontinuity with a path for electric stun current between the deliverysystem electrodes and a path for electric current from the deliverysystem electrodes to the floor (8) through the long ground strap (4). Inthis, the third embodiment of the present invention, when worn, theback, chest and shoulders are protected. The abdomen, ankles, arms,calves, elbows, feet, hands, head, hips, knees, legs, neck, thighs andwrists are not protected. If the upper torso garment (1) is a longsleeve or the like, the arms, elbows and wrists are protected.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the upper torso garment(1) is the only article worn by the user. In this embodiment, the useris protected if both of the probes of the direct contact method or bothof the electrode-projectiles of the two tethered electrode-projectilemethod make contact with the upper torso garment (1) thus shortcircuiting the hand held power supply of the electric stun device. Inthis embodiment of the present invention, the body of the presentinvention user cannot be electrically grounded if only oneelectrode-projectile of the two tethered electrode-projectile method isin contact with the present invention. If so, the electric stun devicewill have a debilitating effect.

Still, in another embodiment of the present invention, each article ofthe present invention can be used as a liner for a non-conductivegarment of the same type and style that is made specifically for usewith the article of the present invention or purchased from a retailstore. This would effectively conceal the present invention making itinconspicuous and unobvious in appearance. In this embodiment of thepresent invention, the article of the present invention can made to beremovable from or permanently bonded to the non-protective garment.Methods of bonding include adhesive application and sewing. Suchtechniques are well known to those skilled in the art. Making thepresent invention removable from a retail article is an object of thepresent invention in that the concealment of the present invention is anoption. The article of the present invention is attached to the insideof a retail article by any well known fasteners that includes buttons,hook and eye type, hook and loop type, pins, snaps, zippers and thelike.

The advantages of the present invention include, without limitation, theeffectiveness of protection, the ease of concealment, the relativecomfort when worn, minimal decrease of mobility when worn and therelative ease of manufacture.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one ofordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be thebest mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand andappreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents ofthe specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The inventionshould therefore not be limited by the above described embodiments,methods, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within thescope and spirit of the invention as claimed.

I claim:
 1. An electrically conductive protective garment ensemble ofarticles worn to nullify the debilitating effects of an electric stundevice by providing an electrical short circuit between twoelectrode-projectiles or probes of said electric stun device or byproviding an electrical short circuit between a singleelectrode-projectile and an electrically grounded floor comprising: aupper torso garment constructed of a metal coated fabric selected fromthe group comprising coats, jackets, jerseys, long sleeve shirts,ponchos, pullovers, short sleeve shirts, sleeveless shirts, sweaters andvests; a lower torso garment constructed of a metal coated fabriccovering the entire length of each leg selected from the groupcomprising jeans, pants and trousers; a long ground strap constructed ofa metal coated fabric; a short ground strap constructed of a metalcoated fabric.
 2. The electrically conductive protective garmentensemble of claim 1 wherein said metal coated fabric is made from a basefabric selected from the group including continuous loop, knit, nonwovenpoint bonded and rip stop.
 3. The electrically conductive protectivegarment ensemble of claim 1 wherein said metal coated fabric is coatedwith an electrically conductive metal selected from the group includingcopper, gold, nickel and silver.
 4. The electrically conductiveprotective garment ensemble of claim 1 wherein said metal coated fabriccomprises at least one layer.
 5. The electrically conductive protectivegarment ensemble of claim 4 wherein said articles are selectivelyattached or removed from an appropriate article by fasteners at aplurality of locations on each said article such that a good electricalconnection is made between fastened said articles;
 6. The electricallyconductive protective garment ensemble of claim 5 wherein said fastenersare selected from the group including buttons, hook and eye type, hookand loop type, pins, snaps and zippers.
 7. The electrically conductiveprotective garment ensemble of claim 6 wherein said upper torso garmentis attached to said lower torso garment with said fasteners.
 8. Theelectrically conductive protective garment ensemble of claim 7 whereineach leg of said lower torso garment is in contact with saidelectrically grounded floor.
 9. The electrically conductive protectivegarment ensemble of claim 7 wherein said short ground strap is attachedto a leg of said lower torso garment with said fasteners and theunattached end of said short ground strap is in contact with saidelectrically grounded floor.
 10. The electrically conductive protectivegarment ensemble of claim 6 wherein said long ground strap is attachedto said upper torso garment with said fasteners and the unattached endof the said long ground strap is in contact with said electricallygrounded floor.
 11. The electrically conductive protective garmentensemble of claim 4 herein said articles are used as liners fornon-conductive retail garments to conceal said articles.
 12. Theelectrically conductive protective garment ensemble of claim 11 whereinsaid articles used as said liners are removable from said non-conductiveretail garments by fasteners selected from the group including buttons,hook and eye type, hook and loop type, pins, snaps and zippers.
 13. Theelectrically conductive protective garment ensemble of claim 11 whereinsaid articles used as said liners are permanently bonded to saidnon-conductive retail garments.
 14. The electrically conductiveprotective garment ensemble of claim 4 wherein said upper torso garmentis worn without other said articles.
 15. The electrically conductiveprotective garment ensemble of claim 14 wherein said upper torso garmentis used as a liner for a non-conductive retail garment.
 16. Theelectrically conductive protective garment ensemble of claim 15 whereinsaid upper torso garment used as said liner is removable from saidnon-conductive retail garment by fasteners selected from the groupincluding buttons, hook and eye type, hook and loop type, pins, snapsand zippers.
 17. The electrically conductive protective garment ensembleof claim 15 wherein said upper torso garment used as said liner ispermanently bonded to said non-conductive retail garment.